The Role of South Korea as a “Mediator of North Korean Nuclear Issue”

in the Chinese Press: Perceptions and Implications

Seong-Hyon Lee

Director of the Center for Chinese Studies, the Sejong Institute

sunnybbsfs@gmail.com

Executive Summary

○ Discussion on how North Korea and the U.S. perceive South Korea’s role as a mediator has been widely publicized. However, only limited discussion on how China recognizes South Korea’s role as a mediator has taken places. Thus, this article attempt to examine the topic through the Chinese press.

○ In general, the Chinese press highly values South Korea’s role as a mediator and criticizes passive attitude of the U.S.

- China finds the reason for the gridlock of DPRK- U.S. talks after the 6.12 DPRK-U.S. Singapore Summit at the passive attitude of the U.S. that reinforced sanctions against North Korea rather than giving a corresponding economic incentive to North Korea for its effort to denuclearize.

○ Chinese press supports South Korea's role as a mediator even after the breakdown of the Hanoi Summit.

- China seems to worry more of falling back and returning to the “fire and fury” stage in 2017.

○ China thinks the reason for South Korea's role as a mediator losing its power as North Korea’s belief that South Korea is with the U.S. In other words, there is a “trust issue” between the North and South, and China is using a frame of blaming the U.S. for such problem.

○ While the Chinese press positively evaluates South Korea's mediating role, China apparently tries to take a middle position to "balance" between the two sides when it compares the South with the North.

- Even when situation improved through active mediation of President Moon, China puts South Korea and North Korea “on the same line” by saying that “a corresponding effort by the North” advanced the progress.

※ This indicates that China tries to exert its influence on both sides by implementing a “balance policy” between South and North Korea.

○ While China welcomes the role of South Korea as a mediator, China suggests that this role is not necessarily a role limited to South Korea alone. In other words, China is proposing that it could also take the mediator role. President Xi Jin Ping emphasized this point during his visit to Pyongyang. Therefore, the uncritical view that China supports the role of South Korea as a mediator should be refrained.

○ Since President Xi proposed his active participation in the North Korean nuclear issue at the DPRK-China Summit in Pyongyang, China may suggest South Korea and China being “joint arbitrators.” He may not use this exact expression, but he could show such intention by suggesting “strengthening of ROK-China policy coordination” or “joint research of South Korea and China for the roadmap of North Korean nuclear issue.”

※ Translator’s note: This is a summarized unofficial translation of the original paper which was written in Korean. All references should be made to the original paper.
※ This article is written based on the author’s personal opinions and does not reflect the views of the Sejong Institute.